The Waste Land --

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IV. DEATH BY WATER

Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead,
-1
Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell 0
And the profit and loss. 1
A current under sea 2
Picked his bones in whispers. As he rose and fell 3
He passed the stages of his age and youth 4
Entering the whirlpool. 5
Gentile or Jew 6
O you who turn the wheel and look to windward, 7
Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you.
8

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This version of the text was edited by Dennis G. Jerz, 2000.

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ORR Home > Texts > The Waste Land by T. S. Eliot


IV. DEATH BY WATER
Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead,	-1
Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell	0
And the profit and loss.	1
A current under sea	2
Picked his bones in whispers. As he rose and fell	3
He passed the stages of his age and youth	4
Entering the whirlpool.	5
Gentile or Jew	6
O you who turn the wheel and look to windward,	7
Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you.	8